Paying bills on time

[Kathrin]

I’ll be away for a few months and know I will get a bill during that time. I may hardly have enough money to even get enough food while away (long story), and I have decided to wait with the bill until I get back, knowing that by then I will be late and maybe risk being fined.
Usually they don’t fine you unless you’re more than two months late, but I now wonder if that is a sin though?? Since I am kind of breaking their rule by not sticking with the pay by date.

Kathrin

 

[BobP123]

Not if you intend to pay it back with interest. That is the way an economy works on a broader scale. It certainly isn’t a sin mortgaging a house, for example.

The problem is some never really intend to pay it back, but continue to borrow against the borrowings for unneeded items. Or intend to claim bankruptcy if all else fails.

If it’s items that you need, medical expenses included, I think one can make certain exceptions.

I’m still wondering if it’s a grave sin for the Federal Reserve to continue to debase the currency robbing savers in order to satisfy those that never intend to pay fully for anything.

 

[Kathrin]

It’s my health insurance bill. I don’t intend to not pay it!! I just wonder if it is ok to plan on paying it late?
I probably won’t even get a late fee because I won’t be THAT late. So I can’t say I am PLANNING to pay it back with interest. I just know that it will probably be paid after the date it says on the bill. But I know I won’t be able to pay it before I leave.

Kathrin

 

[puzzleannie]

I’ll be away for a few months and know I will get a bill during that time. I may hardly have enough money to even get enough food while away (long story), and I have decided to wait with the bill until I get back, knowing that by then I will be late and maybe risk being fined.
Usually they don’t fine you unless you’re more than two months late, but I now wonder if that is a sin though?? Since I am kind of breaking their rule by not sticking with the pay by date.

Kathrin

not necessarily a sin, but not very bright, since you could end up owing more than the original amount in late fees, carrying charges, penalties and higher interest rate on the whole amount, and not to mentional black mark on your credit as soon as one day, or even one hour late with payment. do whatever you can to write a post-dated check for the min payment, deduct it from your account, and mail it while you are gone or ask someone else to mail it. If you absolutely cannot pay, call them now and negotiate something.

if it is health insurance find out now what your policy says, you may lose coverage and pay a huge premium to reinstate if you let it drop, and if you develop a problem in the meanwhile it may be ruled a pre-existing condition.

 

[Kathrin]

Thanks, Annie. I do not think that is an issue here. (I am in Switzerland, maybe things are different here? And I cannot lose coverage because health insurance is mandatory.)

I have been late with my payments before, just never thought about it so much from a Christian perspective. There is really not much I can do at this point, apart from cancelling my trip (which would hurt other people too) or borrowing money which I really don’t want to do.

I am already living on a minimum.

I do not think there is any danger in doing it this way, as i said, usually that company doesn’t seem to care unless you are more than two months late. I was just wondering about the morality of it, if I am committing a sin.

Kathrin

 

[BobP123]

Thanks, Annie. I do not think that is an issue here. (I am in Switzerland, maybe things are different here? And I cannot lose coverage because health insurance is mandatory.)

I have been late with my payments before, just never thought about it so much from a Christian perspective. There is really not much I can do at this point, apart from cancelling my trip (which would hurt other people too) or borrowing money which I really don’t want to do.

I am already living on a minimum.

I do not think there is any danger in doing it this way, as i said, usually that company doesn’t seem to care unless you are more than two months late. I was just wondering about the morality of it, if I am committing a sin.

Kathrin

From the sound of your notes, I don’t know if I’d worry about the sin. You’re a very conscientious person. You haven’t stolen anything or committed fraud of any kind. It’s to your benefit, however, to make an honest payment even if partial as quickly as possible. You don’t want to get into too much debt.

Borrowing to pay this bill so you don’t get slapped with interest isn’t going to do much for you either, unless you can borrow at a lower interest rate than the health insurer charges.

 

[Sr_Sally]

The Biblical ideals that this is based upon is that the workman deserves his wages and that they should not be held overnight by the empolyeer. So in general terms, we usually have already benefited from the product or service and so we need to pay the workman on time.

In your specific situation, I would say it is not sinful. You do intend to pay the bill and from your expereince, it seems that the company in question has a policy in place for late bills that you can both live with.

Since you travel often and this has now come to your attention as an issue to be concerned with, it’s probably to your benefit to find a way to arrange payment on time in the future. Not only will your conscience be clear, but your credit will be in better shape.